The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
By Dave Wagner, Public Affairs Volunteer A text from the Fire Communications Center woke Paul Brown, a volunteer with the Pacific Coast chapter, just after midnight. He was on the road a few minutes later, responding with the Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT) to assist the survivors of a home fire. Each year, the … Continue reading Answering the Call: A Journey of Recovery After a Home Fire
8 Gifts That Give Back What could be better than the joy of watching your family open gifts thoughtfully chosen just for them? How about if those gifts help to support a cause you both care about? And what if those gifts could also help them to be prepared in case of an emergency? Everyone … Continue reading Red Cross Holiday Gift Guide
A Blood Program Partner since 2013, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., has been an integral part of the American Red Cross’s mission to help save lives. Jenny Mandel, an Archivist for the Library, who began the Blood Drive Program to honor a friend of hers as she battled Leukemia, … Continue reading Saving Lives Together in Ventura County
The history of the American Red Cross is rooted in its efforts to support those in the military. Born on the battlefield through Clara Barton’s support of Civil War soldiers, in the Central California region volunteers continue to support veterans and military families, and their caregivers even during the COVID-19 pandemic. And because emergencies don’t … Continue reading Celebrating 5 Years of Ride for the Red
If your home was affected by a wildfire, do not return home until authorities say it is safe. Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, ash pits and fallen power lines. Then take these first steps to inspect your home to ensure that you and your loved ones … Continue reading Returning Home After a Wildfire
by Winnie Romeril, Red Cross Public Affairs “I never knew how hard you all work and what goes on behind the scenes. I never knew how bad it could be until I saw the problems with finding hotels for so many people at once and feeding everyone. The average person doesn’t understand all this until … Continue reading Pets Are Family Too!
Story and photo by Cindy Huge, Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer The Alvarez family holding the handmade quilts gifted to them from Red Cross Nurse, Debby Dailey Just as she was waking up, Jessica Alvarez received a text warning to evacuate her home. Flames from the Creek Fire were bearing down on their neighborhood. A … Continue reading Desperate Mother Receives Lifesaving Help for Her Child
by Winnie Romeril, Red Cross Public Affairs As the Creek Fire swept through the Sierra Nevada foothills, many Mono tribal members, like Thomas Riley, were forced from their homes into the arms of the Red Cross. “We know so many families who have lost their homes and everything they had. Our community was hit hard,” … Continue reading Red Cross Help “A Blessing”
by Winnie Romeril, Red Cross Public Affairs “The best part is helping the pet owners. Being able to care for their animals relieves their stress so much,” explains Betty Wong, who has volunteered with the Central California Animal Disaster Team (CCADT) since its inception in 2013. “The animals feel their owners’ stress, and we can … Continue reading Her Heart for Animals Helps Pets and Their Owners
by Cindy Huge, American Red Cross Public Affairs Volunteer “The time I spent training with the American Red Cross made me aware that wildfires and other disasters could be real events, and that one day I would be asked to respond to them,” reflects Red Cross housing supervisor Kathy Boswell on joining the organization three … Continue reading Evacuated Red Cross Volunteer Reaches Out to Help Others
Red Cross Central California Blog 